Suvery shows outlook improving for office furniture industry

HOLLAND -- The latest pulse of the office furniture industry shows the climate is improving, according to industry analyst Michael Dunlap.

The October survey average was 51.45, with 50 the neutral point between better and worse; that's the best outlook since July 2008.

On eight of 10 measures, the trend is upbeat, including shipments, new product development, and capital expenditures. A few sectors, though improved, are still below 50, he said, mostly job-related: hours, workforce, and personal outlook.

"More than 42 percent reported they are optimistic about the future. It was only 25 percent in April," said Dunlap, the principal in Michael A. Dunlap & Associates LLC.